122 NortH Caro.tina Troops, 1861-’65.

E. S. Moore was also wounded. On the 19th we advanced
against the right of the enemy and had a severe skirmish;
fell back to our line that night. Our brigade brought up
the rear. My regiment was rear guard. The reconnois-
sance in force delayed General Grant for two days and was
of great benefit to General Lee. On the 20th we moved to
Hanover Junction, thence with the army to Seeond Cold Har-
bor, where we were under artillery fire and some skirmish-
ing. I was assigned command of Johnston’s Brigade 4 June.
I think about 15 June General Early was detached and
sent to meet’ Hunter at Lynchburg. We arrived there
on the evening of the 18th, skirmished with the enemy.
I never could see why we did not attack the enemy at once.
Next day we pursued the enemy to Liberty, Va. Here
Bryan White was wounded. In spite of heat and
dust almost insupportable the troops marched on an ex-
pedition against Washington down the Valley, Hunter
having left it open by his retreat in the wrong direction.
Passing White Sulphur Springs and Natural Bridge without
much time to try the health-giving nature of the one or en-
joy the beauty and sublimity of the other. 4 July enjoyed
the public dinner at Harper’s Ferry spread by General Weber
for his command and friends. Fought and defeated General
Lew Wallace at Monocacy Bridge. This was a hard-fought
battle on the field in which we were engaged. Guilford Ed-
wards, one among the best soldiers in the regiment, lost his
leg here. This, I think, was 9 July. On the 10th, passed
through Rockville, saw the Dome of the Capitol, and pushed
the skirmish line, capturing soldiers in long,- dress, broad-
cloth coats.

One Yankee prisoner said they were counter jumpers,
clerks in the War Office, hospital rats and stragglers. I know
one thing, I could have easily taken everything in my front if
I had been allowed to continue my advance. Major DeVane,
a gallant spirit, urged me to disregard the order to fall back
and rush forward, whatever the consequences might be. I
hated to withdraw, but always tried to obey orders. On the
night of the 12th, retreated across the Potomac river, bring-
ing the accumulated proceeds of the campaign in horses, beef

TWENTIETH REGIMENT. 123

cattle, cannon, ete. For some time we destroyed railroads
and marched a countermarch. 20 July we had an affair

with Averill and Crook, in which we were literally run
over. ‘This was near Winchester. [ think both retreated
from the battle field. Parts of August and September eating
apple butter and doing picket duty, with just enough skir-
mishing to break the monotony of soldier’s life. 19 Septem-
ber fought the battle of Winchester, and in the battle, al-
though Early was defeated, Ramseur’s division was not. We
held our own until ordered to retreat. arly in the morning
the cavalry attacked our pickets. I moved the Twentieth
North Carolina to their support. Charge after charge were
repulsed. When closely pressed with cavalry on both flanks,
I formed a square and retreating in this manner, prevent-
ed capture, until General Wade Hampton came to my rescue
by charging in column those on my left and driving them
back, he enabled me to get my regiment back to the line of
battle.

The “thin gray line” which Bradley Johnston saw on 19
September, 1864, was the Twentieth N orth Carolina Regi-
ment, a part of Johnston’s North Carolina Brigade.

J. E. Kelly, of Company K, was the hero of the hour.
When the regiment was formed in a square almost sur-
rounded, hard pressed, a shell killed the horse of Colonel
Toon. He directed Kelly to take charge of his belongings
on the horse. Kelly at that moment was struck in the shoul-
der joint, which caused the loss of his right arm, yet he, when
General F itzhugh Lee, by a charge on our left, relieved us,
carried everything, saddle, bridle, blanket, and his own gun
and accoutrements, to the hospital, all safe.

J. E. Kelly enlisted from Columbus County, lived in that
county for years after the war. Raised a large family. Some

years since moved to Wilmington. Little did the old veterans
of that patriotic city think that in the breast of that one-
armed hack driver beat a heart as brave as the bravest; as
true as tried steel to his beloved Southland. Such was Jas.
E. Kelly, a Yankee boy; a Southern volunteer; a drummer
boy hero of many a hard-fought battle.

October came with its triumphs and defeat in one day. At